Have you ever thought that you have as much of an opportunity to glorify God at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday during your income-generating opportunity as you do at 11:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning while participating in a worship service? Let me define my terms. I use “income-generating endeavor” interchangeably with the easier and probably saner word “job.” Many of us have a job that generates income, which we then use to cover our expenses. So a job is often an “income-generating opportunity.” Sadly, many followers of Jesus try to squeeze in “ministry” or “worship” a few hours a week, and the rest of the week is taken up with “job,” “entertainment”, etc. Get this. Your job may provide some of the best opportunities for glorifying God—don't miss these privileged opportunities!

Work itself, with God as guide, actually brings Him glory. Paul tells the Thessalonians, “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7-10. Yes, we have a world of lost people outside our doorway, and the needs for evangelism and discipleship just get greater. Yes, you could pour yourself into “full-time ministry” and quit your job, and if God calls you to do that, go for it. But do not forget that working in an income-generating opportunity to the glory of God can be a “full-time ministry,” and God is pleased when we honor the Name, the Truth, and the teachings of Jesus Christ in the marketplace.

Speaking of marketplace, a book I would like to read is Wayne Grudem's Business for the Glory of God: The Bible's teachings on the Moral Goodness of Business. Here is an excerpt from his first chapter: “Words like “profit,” “competition,” “money,” and even “business” carry negative moral connotations for many people today. People who work in the business world sometimes labor under a faint cloud of guilt, thinking that their work may be necessary, but that from a moral perspective it is probably “neutral” at best. Very few people think of business as morally good in itself. Many aspects of business activity are morally good in themselves, and in themselves they bring glory to God—though they also have great potential for misuse and wrongdoing.”

Wayne is a great speaker. Got to hear him recently at the Center for Christian Business Ethics Today conference.

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A Faith That Works

For the past few years, I have occasionally written articles under the heading "A Faith That Works", for our congregation. These are mostly related to practical Christianity. Recently, we have merged them into blog format. Feel free to read and respond at your discretion. May God direct you to love Him and to love others! Rich Schwartz